For a lot of us, Memorial Day weekend is less about mattress sales and more about waking up to pine trees and coffee brewed over a camp stove. It's the unofficial start of camping season in the Pacific Northwest, and what a season it is. Whether you're pitching a tent at Trillium Lake with a postcard view of Mt. Hood, section-hiking the PCT, or finally checking out the new sites at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, there's no shortage of incredible places to go from right here in Portland's Pearl District.
There's just one catch: where do you put all that gear when you're not out there living your best outdoor life? That's where we come in. Your neighbors at Downtown Self Storage have been helping Pearl District adventurers store their camping gear in Portland for over 30 years, and we've got a few tips to make your 2026 season the smoothest one yet.
First off: if you haven't booked your campsite yet, stop reading and go do that. Recreation.gov sites for Memorial Day weekend go fast. We're talking minutes for the popular spots. Set up availability alerts for your target campgrounds and have your card ready at 7 a.m. PT on the release date. Oregon State Parks can be booked at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Okay. Now back to tips.
Pre-Pack Your Kitchen (Seriously, Do This)
Unpacking and repacking your camp kitchen before every trip is one of the great unnecessary frustrations of life. Build a dedicated camp kitchen box or bin and leave it packed between trips. It lives in your storage unit; you grab it on the way out of town.
For backpackers, the GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist II remains a fantastic, lightweight option. Car campers: a Lodge cast-iron skillet still runs around $20 at REI, still lasts forever, and is one of the best camping purchases you'll ever make. Treat it right and you'll be handing it down to someone someday.
One 2026 upgrade worth considering: a compact portable power station for your car camping kit. They've gotten lighter and more affordable, and they're genuinely useful for charging headlamps, phones, a camp speaker, or a small fan on warm nights. REI runs solid Memorial Day sales on this category every year: worth keeping an eye on.
Don't Skip the Apps
The PNW camping planning toolkit has leveled up. A few essentials for 2026:
- AllTrails Plus: offline maps and trail alerts are worth the subscription, especially if you're heading into areas with spotty signal.
- Recreation.gov app: set availability alerts and manage reservations from your phone. Essential.
- Garmin inReach Mini 3+: if you're heading into the backcountry, two-way satellite messaging and SOS capability is a great way to stay safe.
Bring Trash Bags (Still the Best Tip on This List)
Leave No Trace is how we keep these places beautiful for the next trip. A few heavy-duty trash bags weigh almost nothing and solve a lot of problems: camp cleanup, wet laundry, muddy boots, a makeshift dry bag in a pinch. Pack them. Use them.
Odor-proof bags are also worth the small investment, especially if you're camping in bear country (which, in Oregon, is a lot of country).
Plan for Rain — Even in May
May in the PNW is stunning and famously unpredictable. The recent warm stretch has been lovely, but don't let it fool you. This is still Oregon. Pack a hardshell rain jacket over a softshell: it pulls double duty as a windbreaker and is lighter overall. And keep your ground cloth dry.
If you pack up a damp ground cloth in a hurry (we've all done it), toss it in a trash bag for the drive home and let it air out fully before it goes back into storage. Mildew in a storage unit is nobody's friend. If you do end up with a musty situation, an equal parts white vinegar and water solution handles it without any drama.
Know Before You Light: 2026 Oregon Fire Restrictions
This one is important. Oregon fire season officially kicked off May 14, 2026 — earlier than many people expect — and restrictions are already active across parts of the state.
Here's the quick version:
- BLM lands statewide (Oregon & Washington): A fire prevention order took effect May 14. Fireworks, sky lanterns, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition are prohibited through October. Campfire rules vary by district — check before you go.
- Central Oregon rivers (Deschutes, Crooked, John Day, White Rivers, Lake Billy Chinook): Campfires are fully prohibited May 13 through October 15, 2026 — including portable propane campfires and wood pellet devices. Propane stoves and lanterns are still allowed.
- Oregon State Forests: Fire danger is color-coded. At HIGH (yellow), campfires are only allowed at hosted and managed campgrounds. At EXTREME (red), they're banned entirely. Check current levels at the Oregon Department of Forestry before you leave.
Always check restrictions for your specific destination before you build a fire. The BLM Oregon/Washington fire restrictions page has up-to-date, location-specific info. A few seconds of research can prevent a very expensive fine: and a lot worse.
When fires are allowed: keep a shovel and water close, use a designated fire ring, never leave it unattended, and make sure it's cold before you turn in. And we mean cold. The rule of thumb is, "if you can't touch it, it's too hot to leave." The PNW is too beautiful to burn.
Deal With Campfire Smell Before It Moves In
Campfire smell is part of the experience. Campfire smell on your gear three months later is not. A few options that actually work:
- Run smoky clothes through the washing machine on hot with white vinegar added to the cycle.
- Add baking soda after the cycle has started for extra odor-fighting power.
- Check your labels first: not everything plays nicely with hot water. Your Icebreaker wool pieces, in particular, will not forgive you.
Before packing your camping gear back into storage, make sure everything is clean and fully dry. Your future self will thank you.
Keep Your Gear Ready to Go All Summer
Here's the real tip that connects all the others: having a dedicated, organized storage unit for your camping gear in Portland means you're always one decision away from a trip. No digging through your hall closet. No "where did I put the headlamps?" Just grab your kit and go.
Whether you're a once-a-summer car camper or a PCT section-hiker who lives out of an ultralight pack all season, we have a unit that fits. Small units starting as low as $25/month are perfect for a compact camping kit. Bigger setups -kayaks, paddleboards, an entire roof rack's worth of gear- we've got space for that too. And with our extended access program, getting to your gear on your schedule has never been easier.
A Note on Memorial Day Itself
This long weekend is named for a reason. Before the campfire and the mountain views, it's worth taking a moment to remember the people whose service made all of this possible. Safe travels out there, and thank you to all who have served.
Check Out Our Other Blogs:
Getting Ready for a "Wild" Spring Break
Grab a Unit Before Summer Peaks
Units are going fast right now, and summer is the busiest season. Lock in a deal before the crowds hit:
Davis Street: Tiered deal — 75% off Month 1, 50% off Month 2, 25% off Month 3 on select units. Starting as low as $11/month.
Johnson Street: 50% off for 2–3 months on select units. Starting as low as $25/month.
All units include web rates and contact-free rental options.
Both locations offer U-Haul truck and van rentals too: handy if you're hauling in a new kayak or finally clearing out the garage before camping season takes over.
Two Locations in the Pearl District
Downtown Self Storage — Davis Street
1305 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209
971-277-4178
Downtown Self Storage — Johnson Street
1304 NW Johnson Street, Portland, OR 97209
971-277-3575
Follow us on Instagram @downtownselfstoragepdx for storage tips, local highlights, and the occasional reminder that it's a beautiful day to go outside.
Have water plans this summer? Check out our post "The Dog Days of Summer: Some River Safety Tips."